Types of Health Insurance Plans in Brief

People who have had their health insurance for some time now probably know that there are different types of health insurance in the United States, each having its pros and cons to consider. If you are a first-time individual or group health insurance shopper then you should definitely learn the difference between plan types and select the one that meets your needs. Fortunately, there is a good selection to meet everyone's needs and possibilities:

HMO is type of health insurance that renders a very wide range of medical services through a primary physician, specified within your policy. You pay a monthly or a quarterly fee and in return get a wide spectrum of services starting from routine check-ups to hospital car and surgery. But you can receive these services only at specific locations and specific doctors, which make up the HMO network.

PPO plans are somewhat similar to HMO's in what concerns a primary doctor that you have to address for reference but on the other hand you can choose the primary doctor for yourself. You also have more space in choosing the facility or the physician you receive your services from, but in case it doesn't make part of the PPO affiliation network your costs will be higher.

POS implies that you choose your primary physician and if you need any medical services, you should first contact him or her to receive a referral otherwise it will be impossible to receive any services at all.

EPO plans have many similarities with HMO's. You have the same primary physician that directs you to specialists and you can receive medical services only within a specific network of organizations. However, with EPO's you only pay for the services you have received when needed in contrast to constant monthly or quarterly fees paid with HMO's.

This is the traditional form of health insurance that was the norm back in the days. You are completely free to choose where to go and when to go, getting your services just when you need them without any referrals or network services. However, the downside is that you have to pay high deductibles before your insurance company starts covering the costs.